Signal apparatus.



J. D. NELSON. SIGNAL APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 17, 1910.

Patented Oct. 6, 1914.

a SEEMS-SHEET 1.

HIE NORRIS PEYkRb cu, PHOIO I lulu, wAslIINumM n J. D. NELSON. SIGNAL APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED 0v.17,1910.

Patented Oct. 6, 1914.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

THE NORRIS PETERS CO. PHOTO LITHQ. WASHINGIUN. D C,

J. D. NELSON. SIGNAL APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 17,1910.

1,1 12,645. Patented Oct. 6, 1914;

3 SH-EETS-SHEET 3.

WV/Qwam 3% THE NORRIS PETERS 60.. PHo'm-LlrHa. WASHINGTON. u. 17.

JAMES ID. NELSON, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

SIGNAL APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 6, 191 i.

Application filed November 17, 1910. Serial No. 592,761.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAMns D. NELSON, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of Cincinnati, county of Hamilton, and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signal Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to signal apparatus and particularly to apparatus for sending distinct sets of signals, such as a watchmans signal or messenger call and a fire alarm signal.

r-in object of my invention is to produce an apparatus capable of transmitting two distinct sets of signals and for rendering a recording or indicating device operative, for the purpose of recording or indicating one of the sets of signals.

A. further object is to produce an improved non-interfering signal or alarm box, and a further object is to produce an alarm box which is capable of sending two distinct Sets of signals and of rendering a normally inoperative recording or indicating device operative, for the purpose of indicating or recording one, and only one, of the sets of signals transmitted by the box.

These and other olqects I attain by means of an apparatus embodying the features herein described, and illustrated in the drawings accompanying this application and forming a part thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a more or less diagrammatic view of the operating mechanism of an alarm box, which forms a part of my invention. Fig. 2 is a fragmental plan view of a portion of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1, which may be termed the selective mechanism of the alarm. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a fragmental side elevation of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, which may be termed the non-interfering or locking mechanism. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a signal wheel, in connection with a circuit breaker, which forms a detail of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a. diagrammatic arrangement of apparatus forming an embodiment of my invention.

In carrying out my invention, I employ call or alarm boxes 7, which may be located in a grounded circuit and which operate to transmit two distinct sets of signals, such, for example, as watchmans signals and fire alarm signals. In addition to this, I employ a non-interfering device for each box, which prevents a confusion of signals by rendering all boxes located in one circuit inoperative, except the first one that is pulled. I also provide separate and distinct means for indicating one set of signals, for example, the fire alarm signals, in connection with means which is automatically actuated by the box for rendering the separate and distinct indicating device effective when a fire alarm is transmitted over the circuit. With such an arrangement, I may provide an instrument for indicating, or if desired, for recording the watchman or messenger signals in one oflice or building, and a second instrument, which is not affected in any way by the transmission of watchmans signals, but which operates to indicate or record the fire signals only. The second indicating or recording instrument may be located in any position with reference to the watchmans signal indicating device, as for example, it

may be located in the tower of the fire department. It will be understood that 1 employ the term indicating device to mean a device which indicates the signals by visible or audible signs. Each signal box includes a circuit breaker 8, a clock mechanism 9 for actuating the circuit breaker and for thereby transmitting signals, a selective mechanism 10 for controlling the operation of the circuit breaker, and a non-interfering locking mechanism 11 for preventing one alarm box from transmitting a signal when another alarm box in the same circuit is in operation.

The circuit breaker S illustrated, consists of a movable contact spring 12 and a stationary terminal or contact 13, both of which are located in a grounded circuit 141, which will hereinafter be .more fully described. The spring contact is actuated through the agency of a contact arm 15, which forms a part of the selective mechanism, to periodically open the circuit 14 and to thereby transmit signals, as will hereinafter be described. The arm 15 is mounted on a shiftable lever 16, fulcrumed on the housing of the clock mechanism, and is capable of being moved by the lever into or out of operative engagement with teeth 17 formed on a wheel 18, or into or out of operative engagement with stops 19, mounted on the wheel 18. The wheel 18 forms a part of the clock work mechanism 9 and is driven through the agency of a train of intcrmeshing gears or pinions by a spring impelled arbor 21.

The arm 15 is shown (l? 2 and 5) mounted on a pin 22, which is rotatably mounted on one end of the lever 16. The arm is provided with a linger 28, which is adapted to be moved into engagement with the teeth 1? of the signal wheel 18, when the lever 16 is shifted to one position, and a finger 21-, which is adapted to contact with the steps 19 on the wheel 18, when the lever 16 is moved to still a different position. The lever 16 is shifted by means of a handle or lever 25, which is shown as loosely mounted on the arbor 21 of the clock mechanism. The handle is provided with an eli 'set, on which a pin 26 is mounted; and the pin 2o projects into and engages a slot 27, which is formed near one end of the lever 16, and is of such contour that the lever 16 will be moved to three distinct positions a normal, an intermediand an reme position, by the passage of the pin through the slot in moving the handle 5.5 from one extreme position to the other. The shifting of the lever 16 of the selective mechanism will be more fully de scribed in connection with the operation ot the apparatus.

An in welling spring 28 of the clock mechanism is coiled around the arbor 2i and is secured thereto at its inner enc, in any itable maimer. The outer end of the s 'irirg is secured to an arbor 29, which forms a part of the non-interfering mecha nism ill in such a way that the arbor is capable of being moved by the tension of the sprin in the drawings, I have illustrated the outer end of the spring 28 secured to one side of the arbor 29, by means of a rivet 31, which extei'ids through the spring and through the arbor.

it ratchet wheel is rigidly mounted on the arbor 21. ot' the clock mechanism, and a pawl mounted on a wheel of the clock mechanism engages the ratchets of the wheel 32, for the purpose of trans mittiiiig the tension of the spring 28 to the intermeshing gears of the clock mechanism. The gear 34: is loosely mounted on the arbor 21. and the pawl 33 is so arranged that it will permit of relative rotary motion betv.' eu the ratchet wheel 32 and the wheel. 34: during the operation of winding up the spring, but will prevent relative rotary motion in the opposite direction. A. ring is rigidly mounted on the arbor 21. and provided with a lug 36, *hich projects between stops 3? and mounted on the handle 25. in sonrfling in a watchnnns signal, a key, not shown, may be employed, which is Eltlupifitl to fit over the square end of: the arbor 21 and which may be so constructed that the watchman can only turn the arbor, and consequently the ratchet wheel, a predetermined amount, such, for example, that the pawl 33 will be moved out of engagement with one ratchet oi the wheel 34: and "all into engagement with the next adjacent ratchet. The lug 36 of the ring 35 is so located with reference to the stop 38, that it will contact with the stop and move the handle 25 through a predetermined portion of its travel. This motion of the handle is resisted by a leaf spring 5559, which is mounted on the housing or the clock mechanism, and engages a lug or pin 41 mounted on the handle The motion of the handle 25 moves the pin 26 through the slot 27 oi the lever 16 into a portion oi": the slot and thereby shifts the lever 16 ttrom its normal to an intermediate position, such that the linger 23 of the contact arm 15 is moved into engagement with the periphery of the toothed wheel 18.

The tension imparted to the spring 28 by adva,

ng the ratchet wheel 82 one notch or ratchet, is sutlicient to turn the signal wheel id through an entire revolution, and, consequently, the contact arm 15 would be moved by each teeth 17 of the wheel to actuate the circuit breaker 8 and break the circuit 14-, unless the linger is moved out of eng genie-ht with the wicel 18, prior to the time that the wheel has made the complete revolution. have found it convenient to employ the successive makes and breaks in the circuit 1-1, occasioned by the teeth 1? contacti g with the finger 23, as the watchmans i.

gnal, and l vary the num her of such makes and breaks effected by each box, for the purpose of indicating the box il rwn which the watchmans signal is sen In accomplishing this, I provide each box of the circuit with a signal wheel 18,

provided with the same number of teeth as the signal. wheels in each of the other boxes in the circuit, and I provide means for moving the contact finger L3 of one box out of engagement with the wheel 18, after a definite number of teeth 17 have passed under it and actuated it.

in the apparatus illnst 'ated, I have provided a lever pivotally mounted on the housing of the clock mechanism and provided with a tooth a l, which is adapted to a pin 45 on the handle 2:) and hold Any suitable means may be employed for releasin the pin to and permitting the handle to be moved to its normal position, but 1' have illustrated a cam mount-ed on. an arbor t? and a 1 r d8 mounted on the arbor in such pcsiti n that it will. be engaged by a stop d5) on the wheel 18, after the wheel 18 is turned through. a predetermined portion of a revolution. The cam 4:6 is so located on the arbor that it will lift the lever 43 and disengage the pin 45, when the stop 49 contacts with and turns the finger 48. The arbor 47 is spring restrained, so that the cam will be moved to its normal. position, after the stop is moved out of engagement with the finger 48.

With the apparatus illustrated, the motion of the handle will shift the lever 16, move the finger 28 into engagement with the periphery of the wheel 18 and lock the handle 25 in place, when the arbor 21 is turned for the purpose of sending in a watchmans signal. The operation of moving the finger 23 into engagement with the periphery of the wheel 18 is rendered possible by the fact that a blank 51 is provided on the wheel in such a position that it will be located opposite to the finger 23, when the wheel and the finger are in their normal positions. As soon as the handle is released by the operation of the cam 46, the pin 26 in moving back through the slot 27, shifts the lever 16 to its normal position and moves the finger 23 out of engagement with the wheel 18. This permits the wheel to continue through the remainder of the revolution, without actuating the contact arm 15.

In sending in a fire alarm signal, a key may be employed, but in the apparatus illustrated, the handle 25 is moved from its normal position to an extreme operating position. This motion of the handle winds up the spring 28 of the clock mechanism by causing the stop 87 on the handle to engage the lug 86 of the ring and to thereby turn the arbor 21, so that the ratchet 32 is advanced relatively to the wheel 34 a definite number of notches, as, for example, two. The motion of the handle- 25 also actuates the lever 16 of the selective mechanism and adjusts the apparatus so that the box is capable of transmitting a fire alarm signal. When the handle 25 is turned to the extreme position, the pin 26, carried by it, is moved through the length of the slot 27 to a portion 52 of the slot, which is so located in the lever 16 that the lever is shifted to its intermediate position and the finger 23 is moved into enga ement with the periphcry of the wheel 18. In addition to this, the pin 41, which engages the leaf spring 39, is moved from one side of the center of oscillation of handle 25 to the other, so that the spring 39 yieldingly holds the handle 25 in the extreme position and does not tend to return it to the normal position. With this arrangement, the handle 25 will be moved from the extreme position by the clock mechanism, through the agency of the lug 86 and the stop 37. The slot 27 is so constructed that the lever 16 will not be. shifted by the pin 26, until the wheel 18 has turned through one entire revolution, and,

consequently until the circuit breaker has been actuated by each tooth 17 on the wheel. The slot 27 is provided with an ofiset portion 54, which is so located that the pin 26 in entering it, will shift the lever 16 to its extreme position and move the finger 28 out of engagement with the wheel 18, and the finger 24 into the line of travel of the stops 19 on the wheel 18. The steps 19 are so located on the wheel that they will actuate the contact device 15 to break the circuit, s0

as to transmit a distinctive signal, for example, the number 321. The stops may be so arranged that this signal will be repeated a number of times during one revolution of the wheel 18. The lever 16 remains in the extreme position until the handle 25 moves the pin 26 into the portion 42 of the slot and shifts the finger 24 out of engagement with the stops 19 and'moves the finger 23 into engagement with the periphery of the wheel 18. The apparatus illustrated is so adjusted that this motion of the handle 25 will take place after the wheel has made two revolutions, and the apparatus is also so adjusted that the wheel 18 will make but two revolutions in sending in a fire alarm. The handle 25 would hold the pin 26 in the portion 42 of the slot, if it were not for the fact that the pin 41 moved from its ex- A treme position on one side of the center of oscillation of the handle 25 to the other side of the center of oscillation and rendered the spring 39 capable of moving the lever to its normal position. I provide a stop 55 on the wheel 18, which is so located that it will engage the finger 48 and actuate the cam 46 to move the lever 43 to an inoperative position and in this manner permit the handle to move to the normal position. The stop 49 on the wheel does not affect the operation of the selective mechanism during the transmission of a fire alarm signal, for the reason that the spring 89 is ef fective in holding the handle 25 in the extreme position, when it engages the finger 48 and operates the cam 46. lVith this arrangement, the call box illustrated, will indicate the fact that there is a fire and will then render a recording or indicating device operative, which has previously been inoperative, and record or indicate the distinctive number employed for indicating the fire alarm.

It will be apparent that the arrangement of stops 19 on each box may vary, so that each box may send in a different alarm signal. As has been said, a number of boxes may be employedin one circuit, similar to the box illustrated, and, consequently, means must be employed for rendering each box of the circuit incapable of transmitting a signal, while any of the other boxes of the circuit are in operation, in sending in either a .watchmans signal Or a fire alarm. I aci eo complish this by providing a locking mechanism, an embodiment of which is illustrated in the drawings, and includes an escapement, a cam 56 for controlling the operation of the escapement, a clock mechanism for controlling the cam, and an electrically actuated pawl for controlling the operation of the clock mechanism.

The escapement consists of a wheel 57, rigidly mounted on the arbor of the signal wheel 18, and an escapement pawl 58 pivot ally mounted on the housing of the mechanism. A balance rod 59 is mounted on the pawl 58 and one end of this rod is adapted to engage the cam 56, which is rigidly mounted on an arbor 61. An escapement wheel 62 is rigidly mounted on the arbor 61 and a pinion 63, which engages a rack 64k, is loosely mounted on the arbor 61. A pawl is mounted on the wheel 62 and is so arranged that it engages the teeth of the pinion 63 and prevents the pinion from turning in one direction relatively to the wheel (32, but permits it to turn in the other direction. The rack 64 is mounted upon the end of an arm 66 of a bell'crank lever, which is rigidly mounted on the arbor 29, to which the spring 28 is secured. The other arm 67 of the bell-crank lever is adapted to be engaged by an arm or lever 68, which is shown as integrally formed with the handle 25. The arm 67 and the lever 68 are so arranged that the rack 64: will be moved to the right (in Fig. 1) and the tension of the spring 28 will be applied to the rack 6st through the agency of the pin 31 and the arbor 29 when the handle 25 moves from the operative to the normal position. The effect of this motion of the rack is to wind up the non-interfering mechanism by advancing the position of the pinion 68 relatively to the pawl 65 and the wheel 62. The mechanism is maintained in this position by the pressure of the lever 66 on the arm 67 of the bell-crank. In the apparatus illustrated, the cam 56 is provided with depressions '71 and intermediate lobes 72, which respectively operate to free the end of the balance rod 59 and to engage the end of the rod 59 and hold the pawl 58 in engagement with the escapement wheel 57. lVith this arrangement, the escapement wheel 57, and consequently the clock mechanism operating the signal wheel 18, is capable of operating, when the cam 56 is so turned that the end of the lever 58 is freed by one of the depressions 71; and the clock mechanism is locked and rendered inoperative, when the end of the rod 59 is engaged by one of the lobes 72. In the apparatus illustrated, I have found it convenient to provide the cam 56 with live depressions, and I have also provided live sets of teeth 73 on the escapement wheel 62, each of which is correspondingly located with reference to the separate depressions 71. The electrically operated pawl Ta is arranged to engage the teeth 78 and in this manner controls the operation of the wheel 62. The pawl illustrated consists of a solenoid 74, which is located in the circuit 14 in series with the circuit breaker 8. One end of the solenoid is located between the poles of a permanent magnet 75 and the teeth 73 are so arranged that the wheel 62 is released as the pawl '7 vibrates in response to the variations of magnetism in the solenoid, caused by the passage of alternating current through it. The circuit 1% is connected to a source of alternating current, while all of the bones are inoperative, and the arrangement is such, as will hereinafter be described, that the tirst break in the circuit, caused by the operation of the circuit breaker 8 of one or" the call boxes, will cut ofi the alternating current and connect the circuit 14 to a source of direct current.

The first movement of the handle 25 in sending in either a .watchmans signal or a fire alarm signal releases the arm 67 of the bell-crank and therefore permits the rack 64 to move in response to the tension of the spring 28 and to turn the escapement wheel 62, through the agency of the pinion 63 and the pawl 65, so that a lobe 72 or" the cam is moved under the end of the rod 59 and one set of teeth 78 is moved into engagement with the electrically operated pawl 74. If all oil the boxes in the circuit are inoperative, alternating current will be traversing the coil of the solenoid 74 and, consequently, the pawl 74 will. oscillate, in response to the alternations of the current and will permit the escapement wheel 62 to continue the motion imparted to it by the rack 6i and in this manner release the end of the rod 59 by turning the cam 56, so that the rod is freed by one of the depressions 71 of the cam. The apparatus is so arranged that the motion of the wheel 62 will cease when the cam. releases the end of the rod 59. This may be accomplished in a number of ways, as, for example, by providing a stop 6% for the ra clr 64-. The number of teeth 73 in each set is so proportioned, that the pawl 74% will be freed of all the teeth in the set it has just traversed when the end of the rod 59 is released. "i fhen the rod is released by the cam 72, the escapement pawl 58 will release the escapement wheel 5'? and the clock work mechanism controlling the signal wheel 18, will operate. -.t will be apparent that the pawl 74 will not oscillate it direct current is t aversing the circuit 14-, and, mmaequently. the signal wheel. 16 will not be released iile direct current is traversing the circuit, or while another box in the circuit is operating to transmit a signal.

In Fig. 6, T have diagrammatically illustrated an arrangement of apparatus employed in connection with call or signal boxes embodying the features of the box herein illustrated and described.

The circuit 14 is illustrated as including several cell boxes 7 and an electro-m agnetic relay device 76 through the coils of which the current traversing the circuit passes. The movable arm 77 of the relay device is shown located in a local circuit 79, and is so arranged that it will move in response to the pull of a spring to complete the circuit 79, when the circuit 14 is opened. An electro-n1agnet S0 is located in the circuit 79' and controls an armature 81, which is lo cated at one end of the arm of the bell-crank lever 82. A pawl 83 is mounted on the other arm of the lever 82 and engages a ratchet wheel 84, which is mounted on a shaft or arbor 85 of an indicating wheel 86. A. coiled spring 87 is secured to the arbor S3 and the arrangement is such that the pawl will engage the ratchets of the wheel 84 and move it to wind up the spring 87 and also to change the position of the indicating wheel 86 when the bell-crank 82 is moved by the armature 81, in response to the magnetic pull of the electro-magnet 80.

The bell-crank 82 is provided with a lug 78, which engages and actuates a spring restrained lever 88, which carries a pawl 89, adapted to engage the teeth of a ratchet wheel 91 and to move the wheel in opposition to the tension of a coiled spring 92, which is secured to the mounting shaft of the wheel 91. A gear wheel 93 is mounted on the shaft of the ratchet wheel 91 and meshes with a pinion, which actuates a retarding fan 94. A pawl 95 is pivotally mounted on the casing of the indicating wheel 86 and is adapted to be yieldingly forced into engagement with a ratchet wheel 96, which is mounted on the arbor 85, for the purpose of holding the wheel 86 in the position to which it is moved by the pawl 83.

" The pawl 95 is provided with a lug, which position or out of engagement with the wheel 96. A lug 98, provided on the pawl 95, is connected to the pawl 83 by any suitable means, such, for example, as a rod 99, and is adapted to hold the pawl 83 out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 84, when the pawl 95 is held in the inoperative position by the stop 97.

The electro-magnet 76 is soarranged that the magnetic pull of its coils is practically constant. 1 accomplish this by providing two coils 101 and 102, each of which is connected to a separate source of alternating current and also to the circuit 14. I also provide separate armatures for each of'the coils 101 and 102, which are mounted on the movable arm 77 of the relay 76. This arm which is diagrammatically illustrated as consisting of two pivotally mounted levers 105 and 106. The lever 105 is electrically connected to the coil 102 and is adapted to contact with a terminal 107, which is electrically connected to the alternator 104, when it is depressed by a pin 108 mounted on the indicator wheel 86. The lever 106 is electrically connected to the coil 101 of the relay 76 and when depressed by the pin 108 contacts with a terminal 109, which is electrically connected to the alternator 103. When the levers 106 and 105 are relieved of the pressure of the pin 108, they move upwardly in response to the force of a spring 111 and -cut out the alternators 103 and 104. A. terminal 112is electrically connected to a source of direct current, such as a storage battery 113, and is adapted to contact with the lever 105, when the lever is raised by the spring 111 and in this manner electrically connects the coil 102 of the relay device with the storage battery 113, and delivers direct current to the circuit 14 through the relay device. The pin 108 is so located on the wheel 86, that it will depress the levers 105 and 106 and cut the alternators 103 and 104 into the circuit 14, when the indicator wheel 86 is in the normal position. i

The operation or" the apparatus illustrated, in sending in a watchmans signal, is as follows :In winding up any one of the alarm boxes in the circuit 14, the first movement of the handle 25, and consequently the arm 68, releases the non-interfering or locking mechanism 11 and holds the signal wheel 18 in a normal position until the escapement wheel 62 has been released by the operation of the electrically controlled pawl 74. After the signal wheel is unlocked, it moves to cause the successive teeth 17 to engage the finger .23 and by actuating the circuit breaker 18, to break the circuit 14. The first break in the circuit 14, caused by the passage of the first tooth 17 under the finger 23 of the contact device, causes the movable arm 77 of the re lay 76 to move in response to its controlling spring and'to complete the local circuit 79. As soon as the circuit-79 is completed, the bell-crank 82 moves in response to the pull of the magnet 80 and actuates the pawls 83 and 89, so that the ratchet wheels 84 and 91 are advanced the length of one ratchet. This motion of the wheel 91 moves the stop 97 away from the arm, carried by the pawl 95, and permits the pawl 95 to move into opera tive engagement with the ratchet wheel 96 and also renders the pawl 83 operative. The first movement of the wheel 86 moves the pin 168 out 01" engagement with the levers 105 and 106, which constitute the electric switch, and cuts oil the supply of alternating current to the circuit 1 1, and at the same time completes the electrical connection between the storage battery 113 and the circuit 1%. Vfhen the circuit is again completed by the operation of the make and break device 8, the arm 77 of the relay 7 6 is moved to break the circuit 79, and, consequently, the bellcranlr 82, which is provided with an operating spring 11 1:, is moved to the normal position, so that the pawl 83 is moved back along the wheel 8 1, so that it will engage the next adjacent tooth of the ratchet wheel. The lever 88 is spring restrained, and, consequently, the pawl 89 will be moved back with reference to the wheel 91, so that it will be in a position to engage the next adtion of the lever 88. The unwinding opera step, in opposition to the tension of the spring 92. This motion otthe wheel rotates 1 the tan 9-1 in one direction, and the inertia of the tan and the resistance of the air on the fan are such, that the fan prevents the wheel 91 from moving back, in response to the pull of the spring, between the forward impulses imparted to it by the pawl.

The indicator wheel 86 is provided with numbers, which are so located around it periphery that they indicate the number of times the circuit 1% has been broken, and,

consequently, indicate the number of the box from which the watchmans slg-nal is sent 111. The second break in the circuit 14, caused by the second tooth 17 actuating the contact device, will advance the indicator wheel 86,

so that it exposes the number two, and

the wheel 91 will also be advanced one s-ten.

As each successive tooth 17 of the wheel 18* passes under the contact device, the indicator wheel 86 and the ratchet wheel 91 will be stepped up one notch, so that the indicator wheel will visibly indicate the number of breaks which have occurred. After the watchmans signal has been transmitted, the

accnt tooth of the wheel 91 on the next mowheel 91 is moved to its normal position by the spring 92, and consequently releases the pawls 95 and 83 through the agency 01" the stop 97. This permits the spring 87 to move the indicator wheel to its normal position, in which position the levers 105 and 196 are again depressed by the pin 108 and alternating cur ent is again delivered to the circuit 1 1.

When one of the boxes of the series is ad justed to transmit a fire signal, the operation of the apparatus is in all respects similar to its operation during the time that a watchmans signal is being transmitted, with the exception that the wheel 86 is caused to move to such a position that the pin 108 contacts with and actuates a switch 115, which is provided in the circuit 7 9, for the purpose of short-circuiting a recorder 116, which is adapted to record the fire alarm number transmitted by the box.

The signal wheel 18 of each box 7 included in the circuit, is provided with the same number of teeth 17, so that each box would be capable of sending in the same watchmans signal by merely varying the adjustment of the selective mechanism. it thirty-five boxes are included in the circuit 1 1, then the signal wheel of each box would be provided with thirty-six teeth, so that each box would be capable of sending in a watchmans signal comprising thirtydive successive breaks and of then sending in an additional break, which would actuate the wheel 86, as has been described, to throw the switch 115 and render the recording instrument 116 operative. After the wheel 18 in the sending box has made one complete revolution and has broken the circuit 14: thirty-six successive times, the selective mechanism, as has been described, moves to bring the finger 2 1 into engagement with the stops 19, so that the fire alarm signal is transmitted. The transmission of the fire alarm signal will actuate the arm 7? to make and break the local circuit 7 9 and the signal will consequently be recorded by the instrument 116. The ratchet wheels 81- and 91 are each provided with the same number of teeth as are provided on the signal wheels of the system, and in addition to this, they are each provided with a depression 11?, so arranged that the pawls and 89 will operate during the transmission of the fire alarm signal, without advancing their respective wheels. After the fire alarm signal has been transmitted by the box, the wheel 91 moves to its normal position and releases the pawls 95 and 88, so that the wheel 86 moves to its normal position and permits the switch 115 to move to shortcircuit the recording instrument 116. When the wheel 86 in the normal position, the pin 108 depresses the levers 1 05i and 106, as has been described, and electrically connects the alternator-s 103 and 10% with the circuit 14. With this arrangement, each box is capable of transmitting a watchmans signal, which is indicated by the wheel 86, but which does not eltect the recorder or in struinent 116, and, in addition to this, each box is capable of rendering the recording ii strumento erative and of then transmitting a fire alarm signal, which is recorded by the instrument. In the dra ings, I have shown a gong 119, located in the local circuit ii, for the purpose of audibly indicating the signals transmitted by the box in the circuit.

What I claim is 1. In combination with an alarm box capable of transmitting two distinct sets of signals, a circuit in which said box is located, means for indicating one setof signals transmitted by said box, independent and normally inoperative means for indicating the other sci; of signals transmitted ly said box, and means controlled from said box and actuated by said first-mentioned means, for rendering said normally inoperative indicating means operative for the purpose 01": indicating said second set of signals.

2. in an alarm signal system, a circuit, means for transmitting two distinct sets of signals over said circuit, a device for visu ally indicating one set of signals trans mitted by said means, and a normally inoperative mechanism for indicating the other set of signals, and means actuated by said device for rendering said mechanism operatire.

3. In combination with an alarm box capable of transmitting two distinct sets of signals, a circuit in which said box is located, a direct and alternating currentsource of supply for said circuit, means controlled by said box for alternately connecting said alternating and direct source of supply to said circuit, an indicating device for indicating one set of signals transmitted by said box, an independent indicating device for indicating the second set of signals indicated by said box, and means controlled from said box for rendering said independent indicating device operative for the purpose of indicating the second set of signals.

4. A signal box comprising a circuit breaker, a signal wheel having two sets of steps, a selective mechanism for engaging one or another set of stops and for actuating said circuit breaker, aclock mechanism for actuating said wheel and means for winding said clock mechanism and for simultaneously shifting the operative position or" said selective mechanism.

5. A signal box comprising means for transmitting two sets of signals, a clock mechanism for actuating said means, a selective mechanism for controlling the operation of said means, winding means for winding said clock mechanism and for actuating said selective mechanism, and an electrically controlled locking mechanism for said clock mechanism and means adjusted by said clock mechanism for controlling said locking mechanism.

(5. An alarm or signal s stem comprising an electric circuit, a signal box located in said circuit, a source 01"? alternating current supply, a source 01. direct current supply, a switch for alternately connecting said sources to said circuit, and means controlled from said box for controlling the operation of said switch.

7. An alarm or signal system comprising an electric circuit, a signal box located in said circuit, a source of alternating current supply for said circuit comprising two alternating current generators operating out oi phase, a source of direct current supply, a switch for alternately connecting said alternating and direct sources of supply to said circuit, and means controlled from. said box for controlling the operation of said switch.

8. An alarm or signal sjstem comprising an electric circuit, a signal box located in said circuit, a source of direct current supply for said circuit, a source of alternating current supply for said circuit comprising alternating current operating out of phase for delivering alternating current to said circuit, a relay mechanism located in said circuit and provided with separate coils connected to said separate alternate current mechanisms, a switch for alternately connecting said direct and said alternating sources of supply to said circuit, and means controlled from said box for actuating said switch.

9. A signal box comprising means for transmitting two sets of signals, a clock mechanism for actuating said means, a looking device for said clock mechanism comprising an escapement, a cam controlling the operation of said escapement, an electrically operated pawl for controlling the operation of said cam, and means for winding said clock mechanism and for adjusting said locking means.

10. A signal box comprising means for transmitting two distinct sets of signals, a clock mechanism for actuating said means, a selective mechanism for controlling the operation of said means, a locking mechanism for said clock mechanism comprising an escapement, means for controlling the operation of said escapement, and an electrically operated pawl for controlling the operation of said escapement controlling means, and means for winding said clock mechanism for actuating said selective mechanism and for adjusting said locking means.

11. In an alarm or signal system, a circuit, means for transmitting two distinct sets of signals, indicating crevices for indicating said signals, direct and alternating current sources of supply, automatically actuated means for connecting one or the other of said sources of supply to said circuit, locking means controlled by said alternating source of supply for locking said signal transmitting means, and automatic means for rendering one of said devices operative for indicatin one of said signals.

12. In a signaling system, a circuit, means for transmitting signals over said circuit, a locking device for said circuit, an

electrically actuated controlling means for.

said locking device, means for delivering alternating or dlrcct current to said circuit,

and an indicating device for indicating signals ransmitted by said signal transmitting means and for controlling said current dellverlng means.

13. An alarm box capable of transmitting two distinct sets of signals, a circuit in which said box is located, an indicating device for indicating one set of signals transmitted over said circuit, a second indicating device for indicating the other set of signals transmitted by the box over the circuit, electrically controlled means located Within said circuit and controlling the oper- 1,1 i eas.

ation of both of said indicating devices, and means actuated by one of said devices for rendering the other device operative.

14s. A signaling bOX comprising a circuit, means for transmitting distinct sets of sig nals, an actuating mechanism for said means, a locking device for said actuating mechanism, electrically actuated controlling means for said locking device located Within the circuit, means for delivering alternating and direct current to said circuit, a separate indicating device for indicating each set of signals, and means actuated by one of said indicating devices for controlling the operation of said current delivering means.

15. In combination in a signaling system, a circuit, means for transmitting two distinct sets of signals over said circuit, a selective mechanism for controlling the operation of said means, an actuating mechanism for said means and said selective mechanism, separate indicating devices for indicating each set of signals, a locking device located Within the circuit for locking said actuating mechanism, a relay located Within said circuit for controlling both of said indicating devices, and means actuated by one of said indicating devices for con trolling said locking device.

JAlitlES D. NELSON. lVitnesses B. R. Knorr, E. M. MCCALLIs'rER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

